"The most relaxing and soothing baths are warm baths in temperature from 90 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. A comfortable zone is 98 to 100 degrees for most people. The Japanese believe in keeping their water over 104 degrees."

The term "furo" refers to the Japanese bath. What differentiates
this type of bath from the typical American bath is its structure, which is
composed of an extra-deep tub in which the bather sits submurged up to the neck,
and the relatively hot temperature of the water. In addition, rather than washing
in the actual bath this is done outside of it, so that the water remains both
clean and deeply refreshing.

The typical Japanese bather spends about half of an hour in the bath every
night, and children will even bathe with their parents until they near the end
of elementary school. Hence, this serves as an environment for an important
type of family communication that is otherwise not present in the customs of
other cultures.

It has been theorized that the primary inspiration for this unusual style of
bathing is due to the effects of the numerous volcanoes in Japan, which caused
hot water bubbles to come up from underground. Together, these hot springs and
the existence of many fast flowing rivers with clean water paved the way for
large, high-temperature public baths. The purpose of these baths soon became
to maintain good health by stimulating circulation in the body through the intense
heat of the water, which reaches between 38 and 43 degrees Celsius (or approximately
100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, these baths also helped to ease
the effects of Japan's climate. In the hot and humid summers these baths helped
to rid the bather of sweat, and in the cold winters they helped to warm the
bather. In essence, these baths could replace the modern anti-perspirant and
overcoat.

As it was in the ancient hot spring baths of Japan, known as "sentoo",
the unclothed companionship facilitates friendly communication. This allows
bathing to become both a powerful physical experience and a soothing mental
experience for users by allowing relaxation, rejuvenating users suffering from
exhaustion, and eliminating stress.